Microsoft PowerPoint Reviewer's Comments
Microsoft PowerPoint has seen wide-use for over a decade, enjoying a variety of uses ranging from professional presentations to family vacation albums, with anything and everything in between. The new Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 edition marks the improvement and streamlining of many features that hindered its photo slideshow slant in the past. But, lacking the personal touches that most other photo slideshow software programs offer, makes PowerPoint a much more limited or one-dimensional product.
Most users familiar with the Microsoft Office platform will find use of PowerPoint fairly easy. There have been some changes made for the Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 edition, but by and large, these are welcome improvements upon the previous versions.
Users familiar with the new PowerPoint will be happy to see improvements in the placement of controls, menus and add-in sections, providing for much easier use. Best of all, use of the advanced options that were once extremely difficult to use, are now well positioned, explained thoroughly and follow a well-developed process for input. However, SmartArt (its graphic editing feature) does require some serious tweaking to get the desired results.
Design Features:
PowerPoint still sets itself apart as an indispensible feature for professional presentations, but lacks many of the personal touches, like embellishments and themed templates that would make it a more attractive program for higher-end multimedia or hobby-based projects.
A new visual focus provides many photo and graphic editing tools that were absent in the previous versions. Flow charts, pyramids and other diagrams can still be created. Also, new graphical styles, dynamic galleries, animation and live preview have greatly improved the versatility and quality of PowerPoint. However, modifications and placement can prove difficult, with little to no free-hand features available. Using the audio editing features can also prove very difficult.
Input/Output:
PowerPoint does not provide for direct importing from scanners, digital cameras and other devices, requiring additional uploading. However, with expanded compatibility for various file types, this is only a minor inconvenience. PowerPoint provides for email, web, CD and DVD publication. Best of all, PowerPoint presentations can be viewed directly from the 2007 Microsoft Outlook, which expands its use to handheld and PDA devices that use 2007 Microsoft Outlook.
Slideshow Quality:
For professional presentations, PowerPoint is still the standard bearer. However, PowerPoint doesn’t lend itself to hobby-based projects as well as other photo slideshow software programs. The improvements made for the new edition are very welcome, but unfortunately, these only further enforce PowerPoint’s strengths in professional presentations.
Help/Support:
Microsoft offers a variety of help/support options. PowerPoint Help is a feature designed to explain and help troubleshoot the differences between the previous versions and the current PowerPoint. Microsoft also offers additional help/support through its online support forums and chat. Email and telephone assistance are available but seem to be presented as a last-ditch option when all else fails.
Summary:
PowerPoint still remains a powerhouse for professional presentations and text-centric photo slideshows. However, its lack of embellishments, themed templates and editing tools make it a very one-dimensional product.
When it comes to embellishments, templates, multimedia, design and editing features, the top-rated Polaroid My Memories Suite is better in every way.
